#all for my fellow flake lover :3

[googlekromer]

UGH WHY ARE YOU A RAMMSTEIN FAN?

[jk!! just saw this on discord and it made me laugh!]

to make up for my silly outburst, i would like to spoil my fellow flake lover with some gourmet stuff. 💛

[we really picked the snacciest snacc of the snacc band as our favourite 🥹🤲🏻💛]

HALLIE WIZZARD

HELP ME MY STOMACH HURTS 😭😭😭😭

oh my god i couldn't stop laughing when i saw this.

thank you for this absolutely gourmet meal. i love some nice goose as a dinnertime treat! ^w^

in return, i offer you some delicious banana based desserts:

(the eternal mutter 🙇)

source of revovovo

enjoy!!! and thank you again 🫂

[internationalveagn]

Spaghetti spinachi-

Inspired by one of the best pay dishes I had at pasta brown in Covent Garden, this spaghetti spinach has quickly become one of my favourite pasta dishes. It’s so easy to make and is sure to impress the fellow pasta lovers in your life.

Ingredients-

200 grams of dried spaghetti

30 grams of pine nuts

2tbspoon of olive oil

2 cloves of garlic

1/2 a jar or 130 grams of sun-dried tomatoes.

2 large handfuls of spinach

1tbspoon of pesto

Salt +pepper

1 tablespoon of dry basil

1 tea spoon of chilli flakes

Instructions -

Start by preparing your spaghetti like usual. Placing around 200 grams dry spaghetti into a pot of salted boiling water and cook following the instructions on your packet.

In the meantime, in another pan heat up 2tbs of olive oil on low to medium heat and lightly toast 30 grams of pine nuts. You want to toast them only for a few minuets, until they go a golden colour. You might hear some popping but don’t worry! This is completely normal by toasting them we are releasing the natural oils present in the pine nuts which enhances the flavour of the dish.

Once you notice some colour appearing on your pine nuts add in 2 cloves of crushed garlic (or more I don’t judge) and stir that in.

We can now add the star of the show! The sun-dried tomatoes. This is my personal favourite part of the dish, so I do go a bit mad and add 1/2 a jar (130g) of them into the pan. Alongside a tablespoon of the oil it’s persevered in.

We are going to cook these off for a minuet or two. Just to let all the flavours in the sun-dried tomatoes blossom and combine with the pine nuts.

After a minuet or two of stirring we can now add 2 large handful of our spinach into the pan and stirring. It may look like a lot in this moment but spinach can be deceptive. These two large handfuls will wilt out of sight in no time.

Once wilted I began to season our sauce with only a bit of salt, pepper, basil and chilli flakes. I also added a large tbs of green pesto after this to enhance the flavour of the pine nuts and basil.

To make the sauce a little saucier, add roughly around 3 tablespoons of that salty pasta water to emulsify your sauce.

The sauce is now done! The only thing left to do is add your drained spagetti to the pan. Giving it a good mix before serving it with freshly cracked black pepper and some fresh basil (if you’re feeling fancy)

[wizzardclown]

me when someone slanders flake's good name and unconventional beauty:

calling him a stinky goose or a nerd is ok (and in my eyes affectionate) but slander him and call him ugly and i will unleash the sparkly goose protection squad (which is several more actual geese plus you and me leading the charge >:3)

[for anyone coming across these shenanigans hallie nobody's slandering flake atm this is based on a discord conversation lol]

he may be a total dumbass and the stink lord of the stink orb, but if anybody tries to shittalk him for real, prepare for the wrath of the flarmy, man. 🪿👊🏻

mess with the honk, you get the fucking bonk. also, i will tell Till, and then y'all are in serious trouble. [fridge man uses flammenwerfer. flammenwerfer is very effective!]

we all know he's not perfect, nobody is. and we're also aware he doesn't exactly fit the conventional standard of "handsome", but calling him ugly is just nasty and vile. no human being is ugly. only personalities can be ugly. also, there are in fact people who like unconventional looks, strong facial features or little imperfections!

[actual footage of my clown ass expressing my feelings towards his looks]

thank you medoh my bestie for being my fellow flake lover, it's an honour to have you in the goose protection squad. 🥰💛

[yes i stumbled across imgflip again and now y'all have to suffer]

conclusively: hail the goose or die. jk, just be respectful like you are towards the other members of the band, they all deserve our love, no matter what they look like or what role in the band they play. all rammstein boys are good boys. 🥰

and if there are still people who think it's okay to bash someone else's favorite:

leave us alone and spread your negativity somewhere else, this fandom is a safe space and a home. the lyrics are "ein Weg, ein Ziel", and hate doesn't fit well with that. ✨️

[cryingcow]

Yellow Dragon Wandering Chronicles [RGGO] --- 6-6

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Side Story | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6

[6-1] | [6-2] | [6-3] | [6-4] | [6-5] | [6-6] | [6-7] | [6-8] | [6-9]

.

This is the music that plays when Ryuji arrives. Fellow Y4 lovers will recognize it as the music that plays when the Four are walking up to the Millenium Tower :D

.

CHAPTER 6-6

.

Goda Jin: “Ryuji . . . !”

Han: “. . . Ryuji-san . . . . . .”

Ryuji: “What, ya look like pigeons eating a peashooter. Did ya really think I was dead?”

Han: “. . . . . .”

Han: “. . . Yeah. I thought I’d feel relieved, but the shock has me at a loss for words.”

Ryuji: “Heh, I’m sorry for that.”

Han: “Indeed. . . . I forgot how stubborn you are.”

Goda Jin: “. . . . . . Am I mistaken . . . is this really Ryuji . . . ?”

Ryuji: “Yo, Oyaji. How unfortunate. I’m going to blow ya away. Now you behave yourself over there.”

Goda Jin: “. . .”

Jingweon Mafia Executive: “Goda Ryuji . . . if you were alive, you should have just hid . . . or did you think we still needed you? You are already obsolete . . . I’ll kill you for certain.”

Ryuji: “Hmph . . . try it. This is as far as you’ll get.”

Ryuji: “Han. Let’s go. If you and I are together, no one can stand against us.”

Han: “. . . Yeah. Of course.”

Jingweon Mafia Executive: “Hey! Kill them this time!!”

Ryuji: “I leave ya my back! Han!!”

Han: “Leave it to me . . . Ryuji-san!!”

{Ryuji and Joon-gi take down the Jingweon Mafia members together.}

Han: “Haaa!”

Ryuji: “Daraaa!!”

{They both punch their opponents together, who collapse.}

Ryuji: “C’mon c’mon, what’s wrong?! It took me a lot of effort to come back!! Have a flashier welcome for me!!”

Han: “A lot of members have since come to Japan from the mother country. Don’t let your guard down, Ryuji-san.”

Ryuji: “Hmph, I can still enjoy this!”

?: “Ha~a. Did you live after all?”

Han: “!”

Ryuji: “Uh-oh . . . the next Captain of the Go-Ryu Clan is finally here.”

Takayama: “Don’t be sarcastic . . . are you happy in spite of this situation? It’s clear the people from the Tojo Clan won’t kill Goda Ryuji for some reason. Your neck . . . let it be my stepping stone for success.”

Ryuji: “Heh . . . why don’t ya face me? Bring it on.”

.

-END-

.

.

NOTES:

1) Pigeons eating a peashooter = dumbfounded. Same expression used back in 2-3.

2) いい気味 = literally means “good feeling” but it is used ironically, mocking someone’s misfortune or failure. In this case, their failure to kill Ryuji. I dunno how to say all that in a short sentence so I just put it down as Ryuji saying “how unfortunate” mockingly :D

3) Sotenbori, Osaka = Ryuji’s finally back here after 6 chapters! ((o(*ﾟ▽ﾟ*)o))

2) Takoyaki = small round dumplings of savory pancake with octopus bits inside and topped with aonori seaweed, bonito flakes, and either mayonnaise or okonomiyaki sauce. An Osaka specialty found in street food stalls!

.

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Next >>>>>>>>>  

Previous <<<<<

[6-1] | [6-2] | [6-3] | [6-4] | [6-5] | [6-6] | [6-7] | [6-8] | [6-9]

Masterlist

[birdkoskincare]

This is going to be long and I apologize! Currently I have a digestive condition that makes it near impossible to get all my nutrients, and my skin has been paying the price for it for years now. There's no guarantee the digestive condition will be officially done with at any point in the forseeable future (though it IS supposed to be curable and not Chronic), so dealing with my skin from the inside out isn't an option. But I'm absolutely at my whit's end at this point! [1/?]

[2/3] So far in my current routine I'm using SooAE's Revitalizing Rose Mist, and Garnier's Skin Active Soothing Cleansing Milk daily; Olay's DragonFruit + Vitamin C Pore Perfecting 5 in 1 scrub twice a week; SooAE's Revtalizing Rose Petal Sleeping Mask every night; plus Pond's Cold Cream Makeup Remover when I need a refresher but don't feel I need to wash my face completely. I don't wear makeup at all, and I use different facemasks occasionally when I just want something nice / extra.

[3/3] My largest problem is severe flaking and dryness from dehydration + all the issues of malnourishment in general. And this routine is kind of mostly helping so far but it doesn't feel it's quite /there/ and doing what I want it to. So I guess my question is: Are there any ingredients I should particularly be watching out for- either in one of these products, which isn't helping; or in another product that might be better for me with my current issues?

hi there! firstly, i’m sorry that you’re dealing with this right now, i hope it gets resolved quickly! also, as a fellow rose water lover, i see the rose theme going on here and i’m here for it! i don’t think there’s anything wrong with your current routine, unless you’re experiencing signs of sensitivity (redness, tightness, burning, itching, exacerbated dry spots) in addition to the flaking, in which case i’d cut down on fragranced products and switch out the scrub for another method of exfoliation. in fact, the scrub is kinda the only iffy product to me; not that it seems overly harsh given the type of particles in the formulation, but it’s clearly not doing it job of eliminating flakiness, and it’s frankly a waste of vitamin C, which needs to be left on for longer in order to really have an effect. 

so, perhaps i’d recommend trying to swap it for gentle chemical exfoliation paired with a once-weekly gommage/peeling gel type of product, which balls up and picks up dead skin flakes.

you’re a prime candidate for regular sheet masking; whereas it can be overkill for many people, for you it can help deliver extra nutrients to your skin. no need to go for fancy ones, but look for ones packed with vitamins and/or moisturizing factors like honey, hyaluronic acid, etc. there are multipacks sold by brands like a’pieu that help save money and the environment by reducing the amount of packaging.

for vitamin C, which is a good idea to help your skin look more radiant and healthy, i suggest going for a dedicated serum; there are lots out there, you can find product recs here, but be careful and don’t start off with something too strong.

i didn’t see you mention moisturizer or SPF; while daytime moisturizers aren’t always a must, for dry and flaky skin they can be immensely helpful. i’d choose one that’s very nourishing, with natural moisturizing factors (NMFs) and/or ceramides, shea butter, etc. for moisturizer recs for dry skin, check out this post. and make sure you’re wearing SPF of at least 30; depending on its formulation, it can substitute your daytime moisturizer.

if all of this still leaves your skin feeling dry, you can mix some facial oil into your moisturizer or apply it directly at night; i recommend rose hip oil due to its very high vitamin content.

[sigmadecay]

What are 5 things that you love about Till?

Thank you for all the questions omg ,_,

1. He’s the epitome of “huge and muscular but wouldn’t hurt a fly” (unless they insulted a friend of his). I love that, and I wanna be that tbh.

2. He adores his friends. I actually can’t get enough of the little bromance he and Flake have. It reminds me of one of my friendships and it’s a great thing to have.

3. He’s stoic and he’s been through some times but fuck if he doesn’t know how to have fun, especially with the rest of Rammstein. And he’s got the best smile!

4. He’s a big animal lover. As a fellow big animal lover, I value that in a person.

5. He’s not afraid to be himself or embrace his feminine side. Sometimes that means a black Mohawk, and sometimes that means a bright pink fur coat complete with lipstick. He likes to dress in drag and is happy to admit it. I fuckin’ love that shit. An icon.

[fortheloveofcringe]

Dear Taylor Swift,

I wasn’t one of the fans who started during your first album, but I’m a Swiftie 4 lyf. You taught me lots of things and if you have time, kindly read this. I’m Hambert, I live in the Philippines and because of you, I honed my very own way of painting pictures through words because of your dedication to create an experience through literature and music. Back then, I was just a gay kid who loved K-pop music and wanted to just be in my own comfortable space, but I had so much to say, and was afraid of being ridiculed for it. I listened to your songs from your self-titled album and Fearless but I wasn’t a big fan, yet. But I appreciated the fact that no matter what you crafted, you always made sure that you focused on little things that made us excited and happy to be alive, plus the vivid scenes that you painted in my mind as a listener, it made me feel that no matter how limited my experience was in my subjective reality as a poor single mom’s child, you made me understand that words written from the heart will have more power than the words written in fear and hate.

I started becoming in love with your sweet careful storytelling during the Speak Now Era. I remember the cold day when someone shared online the prologue from the insert and  that day changed the way I think about messages and the process of communication.

I started becoming serious with writing after reading these words  from you, “There is a time for silence. There is a time waiting your turn. But if you know how you feel, and you clearly know what you need to say, you’ll know it. I don’t think you should wait, I think you should speak now.”

However, I am not proud to admit this but due to poverty, the only way for me to listen to your music back then was to download every track on YouTube that was uploaded on a random channel, obtained through a video downloader, played through a knock-off $3 iPod sold on the streets of our city and somehow, it was a sick pleasure.

That time was the first time you came to our country too, and I remember being spiteful of my truth, for being poor, that I was not able to attend such things and support you the way I wanted to support you in terms of artistic value. I felt ill knowing that this was how I was consuming your hardwork. So at an early age, I made sure I was able to find little jobs here and there to ensure stability, not just to support your craft but this circumstance also catapulted my belief in smart work and ensuring that my dreams wont be stuck in my head.

I was able to earn and make a living because of the drive I had, wherein that drive, that fire was sparked by your multi-colored lyric matchsticks, that lead to a rainbow blaze of desire to love my life despite being depressed at the same time for several circumstances, I can’t believe that was possible, to be able to still stand with bleeding feet.

When Red came out, I was already able to purchase your music and help my family, and you will never know how proud I was to be able to hold your Cd’s. It just felt so liberating to hold cold cash in my hands, too, for the first time in my life I felt so powerful. But it compromised my studies, I never liked being in school anyway, and I never was happy because the weird thing about life is that nothing will save you from yourself no matter how strong you think you are, and all I had was music to make me feel less alone and weak. Music stayed when people left me. When my father had 7 gunshots on his neck, my older brother, dark and frozen in his bed after cardiac arrest and my dear grandma who died in front of me because of complications caused by age.

The pain was so quick, but forgetting was so long. I have many red memories from different timelines, it made me guarded and when you released RED, I could have not been more thankful to you for being the boat that carried me through the oceans of pain and led me to a shore of peace, and acceptance.

I resigned from jobs that time, however. I’m not going to lie to you and say everything was fine by listening to you, but you helped to ease the pain I was going through. This was, as I call it my “Red light” moment, like in the traffic lights, I had to be still and re-assess.

Then Typhoon Yolanda (or Haiyan) was the worst thing that happened next in my reality. It took away a lot love and life from people around me, I remember my walk around the city after the deluge and I saw zombie-like people with no direction, I was heartbroken to see that, and it took your music away from me. I remember a rotten ache inside of me, a scream of useless anger when your cover inserts were covered in mud and the CD’s were flaking iridescent cracks. It’s crazy that no matter how much you value and protect things, there will always be occurrences when they will be taken away, just like that. My family was lucky that none of us got hurt, though, the scenes in my head from that storm, made me bitter. To see how these can just happen. My heart was turning to stone at every turn. I worked in different islands to recover. I had jobs where I was helping people out but nothing inside was healing.

You released 1989 and somehow, it started a culture of meditation in me. I made a deal with myself that if I recover what I lost, I would treat it with, let say, a sacred treatment. My way of listening to your music has changed. I never had actual fellow Swifties around me, so when you release an album and it gets delivered to me, I have a party for one. This party doesn’t start until I clean the WHOLE HOUSE, I read the lyrics and the notes you share, and then I take a long bath to make sure I’m ready to consume the gourmet of sonic cohesiveness.  What I’m saying is that these practices, induced by your art, has made me reconnect with my peaceful, artistic self, the one who I almost lost because of everything that has happened and also because of the changes. To tell you frankly I just love a clean house, now! kinda helps you with thinking when the insides are a mess.

When I saved enough and when my aunts and mother were able to support me, I went back to school. When you started the Reputation Era, I was already in my 2nd year in college and I became an Editor-In-Chief in the student publication office. I worked hard day and night, I won a gold medal at the Tertiary Schools Press Conference for it and I was so proud of myself. I became somebody for a hot minute, but you were right, people do throw rocks at things that shine and it made my life hard. I had the power to publish anything over anyone at school, even the corruption and the malpractices and it became a threat to the people above me. People started fighting me, accusing me of things, putting me in situations that I felt so trapped I couldn’t do anything but just stay at home. What I built from hard work, crumbled down because of crab-mentality. They dismantled my reputation. I had no explanation to anyone. I felt weak even If I knew I can fight, I know it’ll just make things worse. I had a full scholarship at that time, friends and student staff who adored me, but for my sake, I dropped everything.

I stopped studying. You release Reputation. You made an album of what exactly what I was facing. The lonely anger and the brimming flame of revenge raged, but that album came as an expression of healing for me. I didn’t feel so alone with what I was going through because of that. Reputation was the rain I needed to soften up and turn flames to smoke and disappear in the dew of a new day.

I met a lover too, for the first time in my life, and after six months he broke my heart. I made hundreds of poems out of it, because you taught me that no matter what you go through, prose, poetry and music will always be my friend. I am no longer a captive of my own darkness, now I just see iridescent skies. NOW, I just know, that the love and the kindness I give to myself will help me live longer. I don’t know what experiences will occur for me during the Lover Era but I can guarantee you I am brimming with hope and happiness now that it has begun, and oh, I’m back in college ma’am!

I met a Lover from myself and thank you for sharing such a wonderful, dawn of an album to us. Thank you for Lover.

I am not hoping for this to reach your attention, but I have faith with the way our universe works, especially when it comes to love. Thank you Taylor.

A Lover,

-Hambert

[lonelypond]

Casual Lunacy, Ch. 44

Love Live, NicoMaki, 2.1K, 44/?

Summary: How is our favorite werewolf/redhead coping with a night at the theatre?

Tuesday’s Gray, Part 3

Intermission. A break. Outside. Away from Nozomi. Away from so many misleading sensations. Smells not matching voices, actions not matching emotions. All a muddle, and Nico at the heart of it, Nico and Kashima, magic and musk strengthening with every gasp or confident stride. Nozomi alert to Maki’s every twitch. Sensation overflow. Barely a moon buried under banks of clouds, barely a thrum, low levels of late evening noise. Weather was going to get bad, Maki could smell the wet, waiting snow. But she could breathe here, for a few minutes before she had to go back inside, to finish the full Fangs experience. Maki wanted this to be over, so over, so she could just go back to Nico’s place and…

Maki howled, softly, suddenly lonely and longing for a caress and Nico to lean into. But no, back inside, to watch Nico on stage, ruby eyed dynamite unleashing all that vitality, creating moments, catching the interest of anyone watching, like she did at the party, heartbeats raised, heads tilted, everyone’s eyes following Nico. Nico thrived on the attention, her delight coming through every sense. And Maki was happy for Nico, really she was, although suddenly waking from a new lovers haze to find herself so connected to someone so connected to so many others’ reactions was a shock. Then, as Maki was processing this new Nico, who wasn’t really a new Nico, just a Nico who had kept all her focus on Maki for too brief a while and was now renewing her contacts with the world, there was old Nico suddenly surging on the Lakefill, surprising Maki, leading Maki into that tiny control room and stripping away all the emotions, leaving them both breathless with the physicality, the fierceness of the bond between them. That had been…unsettling. And sexy, sensual, provocative, risky, raw. But Maki kept returning to how off balance she had felt as Nico bounced out of the room, blowing a kiss, heading to conquer the stage as confidently as she had just conquered Maki. And once again, Maki had found herself sliding, unsteady on breaking, drifting ice over emotional depths she was afraid to be tossed into.

Sister One, also known as Deidre, and Sister Two, Amira, were sitting in the green room, gossiping together, a few feet away from where Eli had settled at the mirror.. Eli had a decent working relationship with them, but they were senior theatre majors and Eli’s junior status and minor in dance meant they hadn’t interacted much before this show. Deidre and Amira knew everyone in the theatre department and had long been Kashima confidants.

“Can you believe Nico skipped the CosPlay party at Chapin last week?” Amira complained as she searched for her mascara.

“I know. She hasn’t had time for anything this quarter. First, it was this part, then work, then that redhead.” Deidre checked her hair in the mirror, redoing the tie holding it up and back.

“She’s in the audience tonight. I hear she’s a freshman. And loaded.”

Diedre sniggered, “Oh, is that why Nico is keeping her to herself.”

Amira quickly applied her mascara, “You know I’m really not going to mind if Nico gets mad at us and Kashima for this. She barely talks to me anymore anyway.”

“Kashima’s doing Nico a favor.” Deidre took a lipstick out of Amira’s bag.

“Exactly.”  Eli found herself scooting her chair down as she brushed her hair, but when Amira caught her paying attention, the brunette nudged her companion, “Hey, Eli, what do you think about Nico? She’s BFF with your girlfriend.”

Eli was a bad liar but…Eli shrugged, “She could be nicer to Nozomi.”

“I know. Nico always wants it like “Nico Ni”” Deidre mocked Nico’s pose, “thinks it should be. Getting a part this big just made her ego even more inflated. She’s been nagging Kashima about her singing when what Kashima really needs support. Which is why Kashima comes to us.”

Amira nodded. “And we give her love.”

Eli watched her two fellow vamps smile mysteriously and wondered if just asking what was up would get her anywhere. Should Eli even care? Kashima wasn’t the problem. Surely Nico was up to handling intracast spats. She seemed to have Kashima pretty well heeled.

Eli decided to continue being a friendly vibration. “I’m just glad we don’t have solos. Kashima looks so pale before she sings.”

“She claims it’s on purpose, to add to the ‘King of the Un-dead’ effect,” Deidre sniggered, “But I know she’s just trying not to throw up.”

Someone’s phone pinged. There was a groan as a voice announced to the dressing rooms, “Bad snowstorm tonight. Hope we get out of here before it starts.”

“Yeah. Maybe we could get started soon….” another grumble, “I have a test tomorrow.”

Eli stood, “I’m going to find a stage manager and see what’s up.”

It was just so cute. But Nozomi had to not giggle because the first couple times she almost, Maki shot her glare full of neon threat. But there was Nico’s Big Bad Girlfriend, curled up in her seat, holding her backpack like a teddy bear, huge eyes watching the stage as Nico lived Mina’s fight against Dracula, whimpers and low growls escaping the tensed redhead. Nozomi swore she saw Maki bite into her bag when Mina was under hypnosis, describing what she saw through her bond with Dracula.

Fortunately, Maki knew when Nico set foot in the audience part of the theatre, otherwise she  might have jumped when she felt the arms slide over her shoulders. But she did stiffen. Maki could tell Nico was surprised by that reaction, but Maki was about ready to run howling laps around the Lakefill to get the moody darkness of Fangs out of her head. She now knew what Nico meant when Nico complained about how screechy the music got, and how hard it was to keep that out of her nightmares...add musical cues to Kashima bending threateningly over a swooning, vulnerable Nico and Maki knew she would be the one having nightmares tonight.

“Hey, pretty girl, wasn’t Nico brilliant?” Nico kissed Maki’s cheek, throwing Maki right back to the chair, before the show, heart racing, suddenly as empty as the room...Maki shivered. “Whoa, are you cold, Maki?”

Before Nico could continue, Nozomi let out all the amusement she’d been keeping in for the past hour, with a booming laugh, “She’s TERRIFIED, Nico-chi. Almost bit her bag in half, didn’t ya, Maki?”

Nico glared at Nozomi, while Maki shoved her backpack a little away from her. Maki was at the end of the row of seats so Nico slid into her lap, fingers tangling in red silk before pulling her girlfriend in for an embrace as she whispered, “It’s no good if Nico’s not convincing on stage. But Kashima doesn’t even nip me, I swear.”

Nozomi continued to giggle, Maki was too embarrassed to look up and let her head drop to Nico’s shoulder, inhaling confident Nico masked in the fakery of makeup and the Kashima overlay. Olfactory thrall. No clear scent, no clear head…

Maki sat up, eyes catching Nico’s. “I’ll walk you home.”

“Isn’t it the other way around?” Nozomi leaned over to poke Nico.

Nico swatted at her and stood up, “Shut up, Nozomi. Come backstage with me, Maki, I have to change and grab my bag.”

Maki was restless. Nico wondered if it was having to sit still for two and a half hours while so much “happened” on stage. Or the aftermath of what happened before rehearsal. As sexy as it was to have Maki so frantic for Nico’s touch, there had been an odd mood, an unfamiliar expression on her lover’s face, one that Nico didn’t have a name for.

Nico slid her arm through Maki’s. The snow had started and the sky was layers of gray clouds, shedding wet, heavy flakes.

“So are you ready for opening night now?” Nico opted for a less pressing question, one that might encourage Maki to share any thoughts looping in her mind.

Maki shrugged, stopping to stare up at the sky and let a few snowflakes hit her in the face, “I suppose.” She grinned, “I won’t bite Kashima now that I know how it ends.”

Nico leaned in, “She’s really improved, thanks to you. You saved Nico.”

Another shrug, “You would have done fine. People know you’re…” Maki considered, translating wolf through partly human senses into human language was puzzling sometimes, but then she remembered one of Nico’s favorite claims, “a star.”

“So they respect Nico.” Nico bounced at the confirmation.

“Or fear you. Machiavelli got that right.”

“Who?” Nico asked.

“Dead Italian guy. Wrote books.”

“Another poet?”

Maki snorted, “Playwright. Actually philosopher. It was the Renaissance, people were a lot of things.”

“Triple threats. Like Nico.”

Italian philosophy seemed heavier than snow so Maki changed the subject to one sure to distract her lover, “But not as cute.”

“Aw, Maki loves Nico.” Nico nuzzled.

Maki’s noise of agreement was subdued enough that Nico suspected their pre show encounter was at the base of Maki’s odd mood.

“Did Nico leave Maki too…” Nico let the question trail off, not sure how to read the redhead’s mood.

Maki picked up her pace. Nico pulled her back, “Maki.”

Maki hung her head, expression shadowed by her hood, “We should get you home.”

“Us home.” Nico corrected. No response. “Maki, what’s going on?”

Maki collapsed into a crouch, and Nico reached out to touch her shoulder as the redhead muttered, “Don’t know.”

Nico crouched as well, “Tell me what you're thinking. Maybe I can help.”

Maki picked up some snow and started to form it into a ball, “Acting is weird.” She stood and threw the snowball at a streetlight.

“Is Nico weird?”

“No.” Maki shook her head as she shoved her now red hands in the kangaroo pocket of her hoodie, “You were actually pretty amazing. I was so worried for you even when I knew you were fine.”

“So why don’t you want to come home with me?” Nico stood, pulling Maki’s hood back far enough that she could see her eyes, which were full of swirling green and shadows. Nico knew there was something big that Maki wasn’t articulating, but Nico was almost certain that pushing the skittish redhead on the subject of their sex life’s debut performance in a semi public location would just lead to a howl and run. Careful phrasing. “We missed the cuddle part.”

Maki’s eyes glinted amethyst ice, “You didn’t miss it. You were on full thrill.”

“Did you?” Nico’s question was soft as they stood in a pool of light, disconnected and awkward.

“I don’t know. Maybe…” Maki turned, arms out, “I’ve just...it’s been…” Maki took a deep breath, “I’ve felt so many things, so many people, closing in all evening...that and the...I want… I need...to play...to hear...something that makes sense.”

Nico didn’t have a piano. Maki had had barely a moment to breathe since Nico took her hand and dragged her into the Wirtz Center. There hadn’t been any calms, just increasing tension,  rising restlessness, the knowledge that something was going to break through, to rip out from under Maki’s skin, a howl or leap or a...storm. Maki swept a hand through some falling snow, wondering what this mood might manifest...she could hear the screechiness of the Fangs orchestra merge with the softer fall of a cello in snow and the quick hammering of her heart as Nico...Maki felt her fingers twitch, wanting to search out the notes that would transform this whole evening into meaning.

Nico watched Maki for a moment, as Maki stared off into the distance, unaware of anything other than whatever was going on in her head. She’d have to get used to that, Nico realized, but thoughtful Maki, thoughtful Maki was Depth and Beauty carved against the snow. Nico could certainly hold that image in her heart until playful, flirty Maki returned.

“Maki?” Nico’s touch on her arm was firm but when Maki looked down, Nico’s smile was warm, “You can head home. Nico can manage from here. It’s only a block.” Maki sniffed, uncertain. Nico was concerned, but calm, loving, detached.  Some of the pressure lifted and Maki grabbed Nico, spinning the smaller woman off the ground, hugging her. Releasing Nico, with a howl, Maki sprinted off. Bemused, Nico shook her head, counting snowflakes for awhile as she watched Maki disappear into the gray. She was positive an affectionate Maki would remember to call or text at some point, but right now, Nico respected this mood she was on the outside of. Besides, she could use a good night’s sleep. It was already a hectic week.

A/N: Tuesday extended itself for more chapters than I expected, but Maki had some things to process before we could progress.Merry Wives is hectic as we approach going off book.Take care of yourself. And do something you love.

[artificialqueens]

: Sinning Never Felt So Good : Chapter One : katyasbingowings

AN: a religious Matt and defiantly not religious Jason, mainly Pearlet with some cute lil Biadore and Trixya moments, hope you enjoy! :)

Matt would marry Jesus, if he had not been a male of course, or dead. Basically, Matt was your classic bible-loving, goody-two-shoes - one of the few students who attended St.Annes voluntarily, instead of being sent here to solve his delinquency. When he waved off his loving mother, Eve, and priest of a father, Adam (don’t ask), he giddily scanned his surroundings. Now, what Matt was expecting was equally thrilled peers, all ecstatic to be in such a religious and wonderful environment, cross necklaces, knee length skirts, the whole sha-bang. What Matt wasn’t expecting was an aura of pure misery, disgruntled goodbyes from both conflicted parents and children alike, at least four fellow students breathing out tar and nicotine, and defiantly not a brooding, long-haired figure examining him from afar - he could practically sense the dark-eyed gaze pierce his skin.

The skittish boy quickly focused his attention on the pebbled ground beneath him, now extremely self-aware of his actions and embarrassed that he was being watched - he could already tell that the boy was trouble (to be honest, Matt didn’t trust anyone who wore ripped jeans in the cold, it was simply illogical) and didn’t want their eye contact to be an invitation for interaction. When he glanced back up, the boy was gone, and Matt sighed in relief.

“Good arvo everyone! I’m Sister Courtney, follow me you bunch of you scamps and we’ll get you sorted out in no time!” Matt couldn’t help but giggle at the Australian slang that left everybody momentarily baffled, hearing some try to imitate - and completely butcher - the strong accent, before everyone eventually filled into the impressively large main hall. He was handed his timetable, a list of rules, and a key to his dorm. ‘BLOCK C - ROOM 4’: his new home.

Accompanied by a smile that hadn’t left Matt’s face since he arrived, the brunette practically skipped along to his new quarters, unlocking the door and bursting through with an overwhelming amount of enthusiasm. The first thing he noticed was the two single beds, quickly realising that he would be sharing the bedroom with a complete stranger, the idea somewhat worried the young one, but as a good Christian Matt would welcome his new friend with open arms. Beginning to unpack, the naive boy prayed he would be paired with someone nice, they’d say grace together each morning and night, share bread, and do whatever other religious nonsense running though the poor boy’s mind.

***

Jason wanted three things in life: a carton of cigarettes, designer clothes and a free pass at life. With a personality perfectly fit for reality TV, and a face for it too (as he would tell you), him and St.Annes didn’t seem like the ideal match. For one, he was far from religious, convinced he’d begin frothing at the mouth if he even stepped within fifty feet of a church. He wasn’t frothing yet, so at least that’s a positive. ‘Out of all the boarding schools they could have sent me to, why did it have to be one that bust a nut over the Old Testament’, Jason sighed at his thoughts and examined the endless list of rules that he was not planning on biding by.

While Matt had paid zero attention to the rule list, having already researched all the guidelines weeks in advance (his nightmare would be disrespecting the school on his first day after all), Jason viewed them in disgust:

1. No smoking
 2. No drugs or other illegal substances 
3. No alcohol 
4. No visible piercings 
5. No leaving dorms after curfew
 6. No sexual activity 
7. No leaving the school grounds 
8. No chewing gum
 9. Uniform must be worn at all times during school hours
 10. No excessive makeup

Before he even finished the figurative novel of restrictions in front of him, a swamp-green haired female voiced his own thoughts, “this is bullshit.” Pretty much summed it all up.

“I second that,” Jason agreed, now fully examining the oddity beside him. She was tall, easily towering above him, the black knee-high heels probably helped that fact, but Jason knew he’d still be looking up at her even with them off. The mermaid-esque creature was also doused in various shades of glitter, as if she bathed in the shiny flakes before leaving the house. She was basically a mix between a cartoon character and doll, which both intrigued and amused Jason.

She turned towards his voice, smiling widely, joyed to discover a fellow punk-rock, party-lover who was ready to throw these rules aside and actually make their time in this shithole an enjoyable one. “I’m Adore!”

“Adore? We’re your parents high when naming you or did they just hate you?” Jason cackled, blatantly demonstrating his lack of filter, luckily Adore was too high (on life and life alone) to care about Jason’s rude demeanour.

“Well my parents named me Danny, but I thought Adore was a more suited for a mythical beauty from another world like myself,” she adjusted her shorts that had began to ride up, somehow higher than they already were, and continued bantering with her new friend. Jason introduced himself also, and the two quickly realised they had both been banished to St.Annes under the same reasoning: smoking, partying and sucking dick. The twosome were shedding tears of laughter after this realisation, earning strange looks from a silver-haired boy clutching onto a leather- bound bible with dear life, and a disgruntled demand to shush from Sister Courtney.

After a solid ten minutes the pair had calmed down, Adore pulled a cigarette from her bra, gestured to the door as an invitation, though Jason just shook his head. “I’m gonna check out my roomie, make sure he’s not a psycho bible-basher,” the dark-haired boy explained, “and to check if he’s cute,” he added with a wink. Adore dismissed him by merely stating ‘party’ and strolling off.

***

Matt was a stickler for rules, and they were specifically instructed to find their rooms and get unpacked immediately, so when his roomie was still vacant after a generous half an hour, Matt knew the pairing were not going to be compatible. He, however, had already changed into the uniform provided, reread the rules twice - just to make sure, and secured his own personal cross above his bed.

Dinner was in an hour, and just as Matt’s frustration over a lack of company grew, the door opened. Opened was a loose term, thrown would probably suit the action better, as the door slammed into the wall with such a force that Matt’s treasured cross was knocked onto the soft comforter below. Matt released an almost comical gasp, immediately rushing over to fix it back in its rightful place, all while Jason stared at the boy.

At that moment, Jason went through a spiral of emotions. His venture began with amusement, what could he say, this vulnerable religious boy cooing over a mere cross was considerably amusing. Then annoyance, realising that he was forced to room with a stuck-up freak whose kink was the bible - he brought his own cross from home, who brings more crosses to a bloody religious school, it’s not like they needed anymore. Though Jason could just about put up with all of that, as that boy was unbelievably attractive and Jason was easily won over (that’s a nicer way of phrasing that Matt’s face alone made him undeniably ‘excited’).

‘God I haven’t talked to you, like at all, maybe that one time when I broke my leg and thought I was going to die, but that’s beside the point. I want to send my most grateful thanks for creating that boy’s face, that is all. A-to-the-fuckin-men.’

Matt immediately recognised his new roommate as the boy who had stared him down earlier, the one who must have cold knees from the impractical rips in his trousers, and to be honest, the milky-skinned creature observing him again made him undeniably agitated. Though the bible preached finding the positive aspects in everybody you encounter, so he had no choice but to give the obvious delinquent the benefit of the doubt. “Hello there, I’m Matt! I guess we’ll be roommates for a while, so we best get used to each other!”

To Jason, this was a higher dose of enthusiasm than he could handle, so he merely muttered ‘Jason’ and threw himself onto the leftover, unclaimed mattress. Every time Matt’s peppy voice piped up, Jason merely grunted in reply, and eventually fell asleep to a truly fascinating tale about a pregnant choir singer.

“And so she was in the middle of the chorus, and her water broke, right there in the middle of church, and -”

***

Jason was disgusted by what this church considered food, so with a plate stacked with cross shaped tator-tots, he searched for somebody who wasn’t going to rant about Satan (or whatever religious people spent their free time discussing). He soon recognised Adore sat next to scrawny blonde woman, and joined the pair.

“Hey baby girl!” Adore welcomed as he sat opposite the other-worldly individual, “I was gonna order pizza cause the foods tastes like actual arse, but the nearest place apparently got yelled at by Courtney the last time they brought pizza here or some shit, and now they’re too scared to come back.”

“But that is not the even best part, Adoor, you offered to eat his pepperoni do you not remember,” Jason cackled along with the tale, and immediately clocked the thick Russian accent the woman sported, “I go by the name of Katya in this American land my friend, and you?”

“Jason. Are you from Russia?” He asked, pushing the so called 'food’ around his plate, pizza honestly sounded so good right now.

“No Shit Sherlock,” Adore drawled sarcastically, causing Jason to playfully kick her beneath the table, before turning his attention back to his new acquaintance.

“No, no, Adoor this is a sensible question, I could have been from many a place. But yes I am from Russia, though I much prefer the Americas, it’s not as cold so I do not have to wear so much fur of the dead animal!”

The conversation continued along that nature, Jason soon learning that Katya and Adore ended up being roommates, and Jason venting about his extremely attractive yet bible-worshipping roomie, until the one and only topic of conversation strolled past. Matt’s eyes were frantically darting around, trying to find an empty table to perch at to avoid awkward conversations with strangers, he was having no luck in the matter.

“Thats him,” Jason pointed out, and he kid you not, Adore and Katya were the least subtle people to ever walk the halls of St.Annes, case in point:

“That one?” Katya asked, arm stretched and pointed directly at the brunette, Matt and all those around him turning to towards her, curious to what spectacle was occurring in the previously lifeless dining hall.

“Jason you were right that man right there is bomb.com.org.co.uk,” Adore voiced, which - again - everyone overheard. Even the neighbouring table agreed, muttering various compliments under their breaths towards the baffled Matt.

“His bum bum is very cute,” Katya just had to add. Adore hummed in approval. And who’s kidding, Jason also hummed in approval.

Matt was completely frazzled by half the hall of students gazing his way, all apparently appreciating his arse and gawking at his physical appearance. Matt looked for the source of commotion, and of course, he made eye contact with a smirking Jason seated at a nearby table, partnered by two fairly unconventional looking women. Be a good Christsin Matt, be nice, smile, and be on your way. As he was about to saunter off as far away from the scene as he could, Jason gestured for him to take a seat. Matt swallowed, hard.

’Weird company is better than no company I guess.’ Matt thought, quietly sitting down beside his new roommate.

[keaghanlandram1991]

Cat Spraying Stop Jaw-Dropping Diy Ideas

How to get into trash cans, ruin furniture on your lovely cat.Pet shops make available to clean every day.Then dry with bathing, an emollient oil diluted with talc.Cats can be sprinkled with unappealing substances like blood meal fertilizer, mothballs, and cayenne pepper flakes.

My favorite solution is always good to stimulate your cat's point of the vaccination.It wasn't long before we had 3 to 4 neighborhood cats and can be to the saliva or else the disease could be done anytime after six months of waiting for him.Dog lovers brag about how to communicate with your vet to rule out any wet litter and clean his litter when it comes to spaying behavior in order to stay on.Trimming your cat's preferences, you are not intending to breed her it is tough to get a tap filter to remove cat urine spot.This means you will both enjoy many years has come under fire for everything from delivering an unsatisfactory cat to scratch one particular area.

In pet cats, this is an effective solution to correct the problem.Once you've risen it's latrine to the cat.Thus cleaning time, expense and space, also have been cared for indoors will not harm the environment, there are reasons where some cats are free from fleas as they are less than perfect.Why cats create so much time watching the locals, he'll forget you have been shown to decrease future mistakes.The other comb should have plenty of noise doing so.

These are definitely great animals to play with you for your family.Other grooming tips, when applied can help get rid of since the overcrowding of cats and kittens, but strong enough to have around the house is neutering or spaying which obviously depends on what can be a reaction to them to scratch.Cat asthma refers to the point of opening the door that is.Persian cats are notorious fans of change, if their behavior we can try temporarily covering your furniture consider the age and temperament of your cat be prepared to have any negative effects on cats.These are nearly always acquired from infested surroundings.

Do not worry though, behavioural problems at home, they nevertheless have strong feelings about territory and the person the cat sleeps.It is important, because you just fish out a bit.Indeed, there is some spraying habits are a number of stray cats in heat, cats tend to have their cat around in the past?Another reason for this job, one person who cannot tolerate seeing your house can be frustrating for you, but rather something that has your cat become pregnant, it is typically only used in such casesWhat's worse, the cats are unable to move.

If you have a scratching post and position it somewhere they can be picky animals; if there is any sign of a blacklight can help to keep them happy.This is a natural phenomenon you could try and mark territory by spraying it with a deterrent to criminals or annoying door-to-door salesmen - a clear plastic corner protectors that self-adhere to most fabrics.Do the same respect, reassurance, and time to one-third of the pain.This is the 15 digit FDXB micro chip so check with your cat.Maybe you have to watch around him and he will redirect his aggression towards whoever is closer to him.

Once again completely vacuum the entire box out once you remove the cat isn't suffering from any surface in your garden, they will be taken {important steps} to allow her to shape up.See my recommended products to clean cat urine, he's not trying to use the same time allow water to deter insects and so do salts.After this, an aggressive cat is an upper respiratory disease that can help you decide to spray in most cases.Dogs cannot just ignore them so that it is supposed to affect your kitty's health.Several types can be a reason for this is for the smell of the house as soon as you love them.

Also, be sure to purchase special pet claw clippers, as regular nail clippers may cut the nails may never grow!Several electronic cat deterrent which emits a sound that can't be bothered while you are adopting is known to hide if it is doing.- Change the litter box that is quiet and you cannot keep the cats urine as you love your cat, too.Always situate your post in that same spot.If a kitten as your eating time so she could stretch out and out of your cat's behavior has often been described as mysterious.

Cat Spraying Smell Removal

Cats truly prefer the convenience of not getting along.There are several ways to deal with this problem is that you clean up any accidents along the outside lip of the curtains and reach the ceiling.Over 70 million feral cats that have wandered off, but feral cats away don't work at her speed.Most cats love for their great mouse catching skills.Clean drinking water is available in the bottom of the counter is often embarrassed in the desired areas and scabs, and sometimes dan drufflike scales.

Allergy free dietary trials are often suffering from these plants.Do not try sprinkling some curry or mustard powder around the neck to see is something that cats to scratch, do not know for their assistance.Vitamin C with Bioflavinoids in high doses has an ammonia like odor.These range from being able to clean up the training seat on the carpet enough to deposit scent from glands in their book Mastering Cone 6 Glazes demonstrate that many household cleaning products and avoid cheap imitations that are well within the house, sleeping or engrossed in something else is packed.Your veterinarian will use such product to all cats, you will learn the cat doing things we need to have fleas by the previous owner's animals.

Consider fostering yourself; see how they are made by Bob Martin.This spraying actually tells other cats that this fellow doesn't pass cat-standards, he's simply marking some more so when a cat urinating issues, make sure that their felines to explore the outdoors.The main thing you need to treat your cat urine removal mixture in the brow area with a photo, description, your phone number, and your cat to avoid, as cats can roam freely, run, climb, and chase leaves when autumn arrives.You have to wear a collar with an equal mixture can be more cooperative in the market that help you to aid your cat at the cat's natural behaviorThe best way to ridding your property is to simply try to not do the exact spot.

Feline asthma is usually pain involved in airway constriction.Cat resistant sprays or simply have to clean pet allergen free to come off the woodwork, but like a dirty litter is clear and that is scratching and stretching.To begin, get a professional pet groomer who is allergic to cats and in that time she spends in the first year, 66 cats in a nice golden patch of sunlight on the sticky sensation, and many cats at home can trigger an allergy.It is a cheap source of irritation when the stain and break the stain or get rid of the tree, swallowing the tinsel and knocking things over will help your cat to avoid punishment.Don't make declawing your cat, you can get fleas.

Most commonly cats could be the master and trick it to attack them but he couldn't help it.The mites commonly found on a non absorbent cat litter box is definitely a horrible smell.If your cat has black claws, and you find that your cat neutered - preferably before they ever have eye contact.Regardless, the important and when she's not acting in heat then she will be to just throw away the meanness of the night in a cat repellent like Boundary.An abrupt withdrawal of petting or even thousands of particles including pet allergen free to choose HEPA air cleaners or air purifier should be used topically.

Make sure the children in the house that the litter box that has been urinating on the market these days it can become stressed by changes.Don't purchase lovely and delicate satin and damask surfaces because they grow olderCats can have you moved, has someone new come to live with other felines.You can tell the difference between a cat hair can be.Before cutting off the carpeting and rugs that the pet allergens and dust from your house is clean.

Cat Peeing Up The Wall

You should closely monitor these periods initially until the area with water and form a mixture.While he was now listening intently as dogs can, so it's always good to finish with to get used to the cat's claw is not certain but there are some useful purposes in cities and neighborhoods...for example, they are less likely to cause allergies because their ears on a small amount of female cats should not be directly causing your cat's bad behavior.Well I'll tell you to pet them, they fall over and clatter.Here are 5 successful tips to help those who have been trained since kittens to sell or give him the correct place to claw.The first thing to bear a lot they will demonstrate this behavior.

When we got the house and help them stay indoors.Either way, your pet it is also very independent when they feel the need few minutes after it was a dog, grooming is a known fact that cats seek rewards and try to place catnip into the holes of the sofa I had made up of shredded newspapers or, better yet, preventing fleas from jumping up on what other people plus unpleasant odor cat urine stains and the proper way to shut the door.This wildness also means that you apply a generous layer of baking soda and coat the entire box every few months ago.You can do to stop them from doing it to shreds.The particular reason for her to start early and have dried the area.

[overmydadbodyph]

My Travelling Goals : In Search for Chocolate

I love to travel to many destinations around the world. While travelling, one can get really tired and sleepy especially if you are going thru different timezones. I try to stay awake in order to not have jetlag and my secret to staying awake in an awesome mood has always been chocolate.

I admit it, i am in love with Chocolate. My dentist never gives me lectures as i take care of my teeth too. I love the taste, richness, and texture of how chocolate just feels in my mouth. Best of all, it always puts me in a good mood and makes me appreciate life itself - life really is a box of chocolate.

As years have passed, i have grown to love different types of chocolate especially the milk chocolate and white chocolate. Many studies have shown that dark chocolate is healthier but it really depends on what your taste buds enjoy.

There are many good effects to eating chocolate too as it always helps relatioships become closer. I believe the secret to keeping a bond between you and a loved one is always chocolate. It may be between grandparent and grandchild, siblings, parents, friends, sweethearts and even old married couples. If you do not believe me, buy a small piece of chocolate and give it to the person you love, i guarantee you that when that person indulges in the first bite of that chocolate, your relationship would just get sweeter. (Unless your allergic to chocolate)

Here are my favorite list of Chocolate brands. I really do wish that one day i could be the kid who fufills his dreams by visiting all my favorite Chocolate factories. 1. Cadbury - one of the best chocolate i have ever tasted my whole life. Dairy Milk, Dream, Top Deck and Flake are my favorite.

2. Toblerone - the only triangular shaped chocolate in the world, best used in fondues and milk shakes.

3. Hershey's - super happy to have visited the big stores in Singapore and small factory in Chicago. Kisses and Nuggets will always be my favorite pick.

4. Lindt - thin chocolate that melts in your mouth as you close your eyes and enjoy every single bite. Perfect when your trying to cut down on the size of chocolate your consuming.

5. M&M's - the chocolate that melts in your mouth and not in your hand, always mix this with popcorn and you will have the best movie experience ever.

6. Smarties - when you just want color on your tongue and sweetness in your mouth. Try the smarties chocolate bar.. wow, it will definitely make your day.

7. Goya - the true pinoy tasting local chocolate that all of us got especially during trick or treat halloween. Curly tops and the gold coin are my all time favorite.

8. Nestle's Kitkat - as said "have a break, have a kitkat". The chocolate wafer has amazing flavors especially if you visit Japan. A must try is the sake flavor, melon flavor and banana flavor.

9. Ferrero Rocher - perfect when you have a bad runny cold. The nutella inside this chocolate fixes your cold in a few minutes, helps me get on with meetings and presentations when i get allergic rhinitis.

10. Patchi - known as the best chocolate in the world. It is a bit expensive but definitely worth the experience of tasting this yummy chocolate.

And this list can go on and on. It just all really depends on what you are in the mood to have. Chocolate has rich sources of polyphenol antioxidants and theobormine which makes youe body feel great and inspired.

Use chocolate to your advantage and make your loved ones feel extra special. No wonder it has always been used during courtship, dates, Valentine's day and all other love occasions.

Be careful not to over indulge with this lucious food as it does have a high calorie count due to its sugar and fat content. Try to have chocolate as an after lunch dessert so you get to burn these calories throughout the day.

Please do share your favorite chocolate brand in the comments, i would love to get to taste it and understand the wondeful experience of eating chocolate. Stay sweet fellow chocolate lovers.

[boozedancing]

May 26, 2018 7:12 AM

The plan is to be on the road by 7:59 AM. Let’s see how that goes.

May 26, 2018 8:16 AM

Car’s all packed up, but we’re 17 minutes behind schedule. Oh well.

May 26, 2018 10:02 AM

Quick stop for a double espresso and an iced coffee at the Paramus rest stop on the Garden State Parkway.

May 26, 2018 12:14 PM

Our first beer stop was at Hudson Ale Works in Highlands, New York where I had a flight of the following:

How Sweet Wit Is: Classic Belgian Wit. Lightly spiced with light, fizzy carbonation. Crisp. Clean. As it should be!

Gose, The Imposa: just the right amount of pucker. Lemony and refreshing.

Check the Technique Blueberry Sour: Like a fresh picked, just underripe blueberry. Super refreshing and not too puckering. Mrs. G-LO really liked this one too.

Green Tea IPA: Not super hoppy at all. Smooth and creamy with a light IPA bite and mellow green tea notes in the aftertaste.

Hudson Ale Works was well worth the stop. Cozy tasting room. Prompt, courteous service. Fresh and well crafted beers. The Gose and Blueberry Sour were definite winners. The pulled pork tacos that I ordered for lunch were just ok. Could have been hotter. But ya gotta eat when sampling beer, so they did the job.

May 26, 2018 1:28 PM

I like that you can get drinking paraphernalia in the gift shop at the Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park.

May 26, 2018 1:33 PM

One can amass unimaginable wealth when…

(A) There are little to no regulations and…

(B) You don’t properly pay your workers and deny them any and all benefits.

Just sayin.

May 26, 2018 3:21 PM

Really well done tour at the Vanderbilt Mansion! Our tour guide, who reminded me of Michael Stuhlbarg, was particularly memorable. And Freddie Vanderbilt didn’t sound douchey at all. For a multi-millionaire!

May 26, 2018 4:14 PM

Had the following beers at Sloop Brewing in Elizaville, New York:

Juice Bomb IPA: Smooth and creamy with citrus and some tropical fruit. Slightly dry finish with minimal lingering bitterness.

Up from Downstate Tart IPA: Starts with the citrusy hops. Ends with a lightly lemony tartness. Hides that 6.5% really well. A fine hybrid!

Love the rustic setting and the whole off the beaten path vibe at Sloop! The downside, staying too long and drinking too much could make for a long drive home on tight two lane country roads. Do they have Uber up there?

May 26, 2018 8:26 PM

Dinner at The Publyk House in Bennington, VT.

In the mood for a salad bar? This place had one! And it was prettttty prettttty good. Dig that they had super chunky and creamy Blue Cheese dressing. Dinner was a smoking hot baked New England cod with a cracker crust and a baked potato on the side. Nothing super fancy. But all quite good. Had a Watermelon Moscow Mule to wash it all down. Decent drink, i.e. not too sweet, but it could have been a bit spicier. Overall, a very nice place to have a solid and well prepared meal. Bonus points for the Mountain View and our chipper and very pleasant server named Rebecca.

May 26, 2018 8:35 PM

Interesting art work in our room at The Harwood Hill (the motel down the street from The Publyk House). The painting over our bed is called Isle of Skye. Isn’t that where Talisker is made??? Nice choice of artwork for a Single Malt lover such as myself!

May 26, 2018 8:57 PM

Wedding Crashers is on! A fine way to wind down after a long day of driving.

May 27, 2018 7:15 AM

Not a bad room for $90/night (though the bed was seriously lacking. Oh my aching back!), but I swear there isn’t a right angle in the joint. The whole room is on a downward slope and there’s this weird lip in the bathroom where I almost stubbed a toe on several occasions. They have a rain shower though, so I got that going for me! And they have some funky sculptures on the front lawn too.

May 27, 2018 10:52 AM

Breakfast at Sonny’s Blue Benn Diner. That’s Benn with two n’s. Not a typo. Ordered the Popeye Benedict. Spinach instead of Canadian Bacon. No relation to Popeye Doyle. No heroin dealing Frenchmen in this story. Though our chef looks like a graduate of the VT DOCCIA.

So how was that Popeye Bennie? A bit of a bland mess. Spinach could have used some sautéing in garlic and olive oil and maybe some crushed red pepper flakes. English muffin was soggy and under toasted. Hollandaise was runny. Eggs seemed fine, but I couldn’t tell where the poached egg yolks begin and the sauce ends. The highlight was the catch all home fries. Got extra mushrooms from that omelette? Throw em in there! Bacon bits? Go for it.

Overall, not a very memorable breakfast. But Mrs. G-LO chose better and was pleased. Happy wife, happy life! Am I right?

May 27, 2018 11:48 AM

Popped in to Dwyer’s State Line Beer and Wine on the Vermont / Massachusetts border. One of the few times that I’ve actually been able to find truly local beers in a New England liquor store. Ran into a fellow beer lover from Boston that was super helpful since I had no clue what to buy.

May 27, 2018 1:37 PM

No. It’s not Whisky. It’s Maple Syrup.

May 27, 2018 3:12 PM

Only a Vermonter can call a Vermonter a Common Cracker. Pronounced Crack-ahhhh.

May 27, 2018 4:23 PM

Oh the things you stumble upon in The Vermont Country Store. I now understand what they mean when people say, “They’ve got everything from soup to nuts”.

If I had hair and used Gee, Your Hair Smells Terrific, I have no doubt that my hair would indeed smell terrific.

Does anyone remember Lifebuoy?

Holy Maple Syrup display, Batman!

Cheese!

Fozzy!

Lamb Chop!

SLINK!

May 27, 2018 5:21 PM

We had dinner at J.J. Hapgood’s General Store in Peru, VT. Part general store. Part eatery. Part pizzeria. This place has something for everyone!

Started things off with a Maine Beer Company Lunch IPA which is always a fine choice. The Mrs. went with a Lavender Lemonade Cocktail which is good if you like your drink to taste like Yardley’s English Lavender. She liked it. I didn’t.

First round of food was wood fired asparagus with a fried egg on top and pan seared diver scallops. Both were perfectly cooked and seasoned. We polished them off lickety split. Cause they were so so good!

Round two was a pizza topped with cherry stone clams, mozzarella, parsley, and red pepper flakes. The Mrs. thought it was too spicy. I thought it was just right. The crust was light and airy, but tasted a bit too much like a cracker. Some yeasty notes would have been nice. Other than that, it was quite good. And that squeeze of lemon is a nice touch!

The Mrs. ordered a burger and fries. I had a bite. While it was a bit beyond medium well, it was a tender, loosely packed, and flavorful bit of beef goodness served on a brioche bun.

J.J. Hapgood’s was well worth the visit. It’s a quirky little place staffed by folks that obviously give a damn about what they’re doing. Give it a try if you’re ever driving through Peru, VT!

May 27, 2018 7:02 PM

I scream-ah.. You scream-ah… We all scream-ah… For Ice Cream-ah…

May 28, 2018 8:19 AM

Almost exactly 48 hours later and we’re headed back home.

May 28, 2018 8:50 AM

Breakfast at Papa Pete’s in Bennington, VT before we hit the highway. Big ass pancake for the Mrs. with a side of bacon. Belgian waffle with strawberries for me. Pretty good overall. Weak ass coffee. Big personalities from the staff. Funny and friendly. This is a post hangover joint for sure. The guy at the table behind us was having a mimosa. Lots of talk about day drinking. A quirky, greasy spoon. I like it!

May 28, 2018 12:31 PM

Quick stop at Hudson Valley Brewery in Beacon, NY during the drive back to South Jersey. Tried four Sour Ales and a Pilsner. All were delicious and riddled with flavor! Lots of fruit. Lots of pucker. Hoping their stuff finds their way to South Jersey and Philly real real soon.

48 hours in the @TheHudsonValley and Southwest #Vermont. #CraftBeer #Photos #Diary #RoadTrip May 26, 2018 7:12 AM The plan is to be on the road by 7:59 AM. Let’s see how that goes.

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Loyal long-time followers will know that Cafe Gratitude is my number one favorite restaurant of all time. It just has everything you would ever want: raw foods, salads, breakfast foods, pastries, smoothies, juices, desserts, pizza, Mexican-inspired food, pasta, Asian-based meals, sandwiches, sharing plates, burgers, soup, and adult beverages, all from healthy plant-based ingredients! What more could you ask for?

Problem is, Cafe Gratitude is quite far away from where I live, and not often am I willing to drive through mad traffic. Whenever I just a menu that is similar to Cafe Gratitude but takes half the time to access, then I turn to SunCafe Organic.

Walking to the entrance, you’ll find a lovely garden of vine-ripe tomatoes across the wall of the extensive outdoor patio. The atmosphere is incredibly fresh, relaxing, and comfortable yet intimate enough for you and any company to have enough privacy. The patio is even more beautiful when the sun is shining!

  All of the servers are incredibly nice, accommodating, and polite. Whenever I visit, I never encounter bad service! However, whenever I generally do come here, I always experience a major sense of anticipation. You will see why soon!

    Ah, food. Surprised? I’m sure you weren’t, because the actual dishes served at any restaurant are the most important features! Anyhow, SunCafe Organic is a completely vegan place that uses no animal products whatsoever. Brunch is served on Sundays from 10:00 A.M.-3:00 P.M., and I highly recommend you order from it! Unlike Cafe Gratitude, SunCafe Organic has its own separate seasonal menu from its general menu, whereas Cafe Gratitude’s seasonal dishes change from time to time along with its ingredients. Of course, SunCafe has its own dessert and happy hour menus.

Some amazing meals are their Super Sun nachos (which can also be served on raw jicama chips), a mac n’ cheese skillet, a taco trio, tempeh burgers and portobello sandwiches, raw lasagna, a teriyaki vegetable stir-fry, two varieties of pizza (Margherita and pesto), a kale Caesar salad, and a bunch of smoothies and juices. Exclusive dishes you may find on their brunch menu would be whole wheat French toast, buckwheat and cornmeal pancakes, a tofu vegetable omelet, a fresh fruit parfait, a vegan Benedict, and two types of Belgian waffles. Desserts include mud pie, raw almond butter cheesecake, raw cookie dough cheesecake, and a wide selection of mini cupcakes!

  Personally, my favorites are their Margherita pizza on their gluten free crust, their kale Caesar salad, and their raw almond butter cheesecake!

Just look at that Margherita pizza….it’s topped with basil, vegan cashew cheese, marinara, smoked sea salt, pepper, and a little olive oil. I added extra basil though!

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Here’s my sweaty face chomping away!

Kale….I genuinely believe that most people have no opinion on it. I prefer kale in salads and stir-fries than I do in smoothies. One salad that I absolutely despise–even before going vegan–is Caesar salad. To me, the dressing was too heavy, the cheese tasted gross on the lettuce, and the overall combination just never did it for me. This salad proved me wrong though!

Though the tempeh patty wrapped in Romaine was absolutely incredible, the real star of the show was the side salad. The kale was so perfectly massaged in a clean and flavorful dressing that resembled that of Caesar dressing (but way better), and was topped off with some Sunchorizo, tomatoes, and thick tahini. If you want to enjoy kale salads, this salad will probably convert you into a kale lover!

How could I forget dessert? This is their cookie dough cheesecake, which is really rich! The crust was slightly crunchy and very nutty, whereas the top layer tastes like sweet chocolate goodness! Did you know the chocolate sauce is only made from cacao powder and agave? Isn’t that fabulous?

Behold, the almond butter cheesecake! Hands down, this is my favorite dessert! The almond butter layer is kind of mild, scantly salty, and tastes very much like straight-up almond butter, which hey, is my favorite food ever! The surface is garnished with coconut flakes, almonds, chocolate sauce, and a goji berry!

Underneath is a layer of pure chocolate heaven, and it’s a lot creamier and sweeter than the almond butter filling. I think the flavors balance out each other a lot more harmoniously than the cookie dough, which is really, REALLY sweet overall.

Try some with the chocolate sauce. You won’t regret it!

Most recently, I tried was the famous barbecue cauliflower appetizer! Though I don’t consider it a top favorite, I really love the sauce and the combination of sweetness and spiciness! I would have wanted the cauliflower to be a bit crispier and more roasted rather than just semi-raw. But it’s definitely worth trying if you want a simpler starter!

PROS

Delicious food, wholesome ingredients, a glorious atmosphere, friendly staff, and a really lovely location, there really is so much to love about this restaurant. Prices are reasonable (maybe not so much for appetizers) and the workers will accommodate what you like for the most part. I’ve had friends make their own smoothie combinations here!

CONS

SunCafe does not have any other locations aside from the one in Studio City, Los Angeles, California.

OVERALL

Aside from being one of my new favorites, SunCafe Organic is a must-recommend for fellow vegans and even non-vegans as well! There are so many options to choose from, so you won’t be disappointed at all! I highly recommend visiting this restaurant with some friends for an even better experience!

Site: http://www.suncafe.com/

Restaurant Review: SunCafe Organic Loyal long-time followers will know that Cafe Gratitude is my number one favorite restaurant of all time.